OSI - Summer Biology Adventure


You've heard of a CSI (Crime Scene Investigator)? Now you can be an OSI - Outdoor Scene Investigator! As 7th Graders, your science curriculum will focus mostly on the subject of Biology, the study of life. To get a jumpstart and have fun in the meantime, try this challenge:

  1. Go outside. Take your cell phone, digital camera, or video cam with you.
  2. Find at least one unfamiliar type of plant, animal, insect, etc. -- no humans please ;) -- to identify and share with others.
  3. Take a picture or short video clip of it.
  4. Identify it.
  5. Do a little research. Find a piece of interesting information about it.
  6. Post your picture and info below.
  7. Include your sources and any links to go along with it.

Photo / Taken By / Location
Common & Scientific Names
Interesting Info
purple_coneflower1.png
- TmbrWlvsTchr TmbrWlvsTchr Jul 13, 2009
Picture taken in the field near my house
Purple Coneflower
Echinacea purpurea (Asteraceae)

Identified using the resource:
http://www.realtimerendering.com/flowers/flowers.html
The cone flower is said to stimulate skin tissue to heal, and the smoke of burnt flowers soothes aches and pains. American Indians used it to treat toothaches, insect bites, burns, and even rabies! Purple cone flowers also attract butterflies, which feed on their nectar.

Source: http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Audiences/Kids/PhotoSafari/WalkingPhotoSafari.cfm